On August 4, 1790, the United States Coast Guard was established (as part of the US Treasury).
From the United States Coast Guard “About Us” web page:
“The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a military branch of the United States involved in maritime law, mariner assistance, and search and rescue, among other duties of coast guards elsewhere. One of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and the smallest armed service of the United States, its stated mission is to protect the public, the environment, and the United States economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America’s coasts, ports, and inland waterways.”
Here in the Pacific Graveyard, many owe their lives and livelihoods to the “Always Ready” United States Coast Guard.
The United States Coast Guard rescues an unknown fishing vessel (image used by permission)
On our Dead Reckoning of the Pacific Graveyard shipwreck chart, they are honored in the form of an insignia depicting the official seal and the Cape Disappointment “Guardians of the Pacific Graveyard” where the National Motor Lifeboat School is housed (and with good reason, the Columbia River Bar is one of the world’s most deadly crossings).
A USPS stamp dated 1945 commemorating the USCG, and historic photographs are included in this gathering of maritime history.
We at NW Limited…History in VogueTM thank the USCG for their assistance in creating our chart, and for their continuing support.
Happy 218 years!
The Motor Lifeboat School at Cape Disappointment is getting a new boat to celebrate, and take them into the future of lifesaving and marine safety:
Links:
United States Coast Guard (official website)
History in VogueTM (our website, where you can order a shipwreck chart for your favorite Coastie!)
Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay celebrates 100 years
Coast Guard gloats over boat; birthday gift will boost safety at Cape D
Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast returns home
Thanks for the visit. I am glad you came by since I will now add you to my “Check it Out – Favorites” Blog Roll sidebar. WE love history and I especially like the Lewis and Clark Expedition information.
You have a great site and I will be back later to spend some more time after I finish my rounds today.
When we made our drive to Alaska, we stopped in the Portland area for about a week and toured the Columbia River area back and forth from the Bridge of the Gods at the Lock to the coast (on both sides). We crossed all of the bridges: Astoria-Megler Bridge, Lewis and Clark Bridge, I-5 “Columbia River Crossing” Bridge, and the Bridge of the Gods.
I am planning to do a post on Lewis and Clark ‘in the Northwest’ in about a month. It will take some time to assemble the material, photographs, and links.
Again, thanks for the visit,
and drop by anytime,
Troy and Martha
PS: When we first visited that area for the first time quite a few years ago, and I stood on the Cape Disappointment Overlook, and realized that Lewis and Clark probably looked at the Pacific from this vantage point, it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
It was great.